Jamaica Facts.

This is a place known to be abundant of nature’s gift because of its natural jewels, white sand beaches, blue seas, healthy marine sanctuaries, forests, mountains and many more. It could offer wildest adventures for tourists as you could avail tour packages that would make you appreciate more the beauty of Jamaica. This country provides many reasons to enjoy what nature has to offer. Also experience the historical plantations and try the tropical fruits, to have a taste of their local harvests. You might also be interested to visit the grand houses situated in the heart of the cities to experience historic vibes.

JAMAICA – IMPORTANT AND INTERESTING FACTS

Jamaica is the first team from the English-speaking Caribbean to qualify for the Football (Soccer) World Cup. This was the 1998 championship.

Jamaica was the first commercial producer of bananas in the Western Hemisphere. Thanks in part to shipping and refrigeration, bananas were able to be sent long distances.

Jamaica also was the first island in the Caribbean to produce rum on a commercial basis.

Jamaica is the third largest island in the Caribbean. Situated 90 miles south of Cuba, 600 miles south of Florida, USA, and 100 miles south-west of Haiti.

Jamaica has the second largest butterfly in the world which is The Jamaican Giant Swallowtail. Adults grow up to three inches with an average wingspan of 6 inches, and they are usually dark in color with yellow and blue bands and spots.

Another of the interesting facts on Jamaica is that it was the first British colonial territory to establish a postal service. Gabriel Martin was appointed postmaster to carried mail via posthorse between St. Jago and Passage Fort for several years

Even though Marijuana is widely used and cultivated in Jamaica, it is an illegal drug.

Jamaica is one of the 75 countries in the world that drive on the left side of the road. Since Jamaica was formerly colonized by Great Britain, there road laws are bases on Britians.

Unlike other countries that only have one hero, Jamaica has six National Heroes and one National Heroine namely Marcus Garvey, Sir Alexander Bustmante, Norman Washington Manley, Samuel Sharpe, Paul Bogle, George William Gordon, and Nanny of the Maroons.

The highest point in Jamaica is the Blue Mountain Peak in Portland, at 7,402 feet above sea level. It is possible to hike to this peak.

JAMAICA – COOL, FUNNY AND FUN FACTS

If you love to eat meat, this is your place. Brasa Grill is an eat-all-you can Brazilian food restaurant that is totally fun and insanely filling were waiters come to your table on a constant basis with skewers of meat, and you tell them if you want them to serve you or not.

it’s funny that in giving a tip in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, you had to discretely fold money into the palm of my hand and shake hands, slipping the money to the resort employees. (This was a trick that a shuttle driver explained to us.)

In Jamaica’s star news (jamaica-star.com), 21 year old man was beaten for buying tampons (sanitary napkin).

Jamaica was the first country in the Western world to construct a railway, even before the United States! This was only 18 years after Britain which is totally cool.

Totally cool and amazing even if Jamaica is a tropical country, they were the first tropical country to enter the IOC Winter Olympics. The bob sleigh team’s efforts inspired the film ‘Cool Runnings’.

The Jamaican Flag and Libya is the only flag in the world that doesn’t share any of the colors of the American flag.

Another cool thing is that Jamaica is the birth place of the well-known Bob Marley. Robert Nesta “Bob” Marley was a Jamaican reggae singer-songwriter, musician, and guitarist who achieved international fame and acclaim.

Jamaica has more multiple (two or more) live births than anywhere else in the world.

The Doctor Bird is the National Bird of Jamaica that only lives on this island and is one of the most outstanding of all the species of humming birds. It’s totally cool.

Most people are surprised to know that Jamaica is an English speaking nation. The Jamaican Creole is used primarily in informal settings and for entertainment. English is the language of education, law, business and trade

JAMAICA – HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL FACTS

Jamaica was first sighted by the second voyage of Christopher Columbus on 5 May 1492. It then came under English rule in 1655 before gaining independence in 1962.

Jamaica’s first town built by the Spanish in 1509 was “Sevilla Nueva”, or New Seville near ST. Ann’s Bay on the islands north coast

Jamaica became a British colony in 1655 when the English captured it from the Spaniards. The English turned the island into one vast sugar plantation which made them rich.

When the slaves were fully freed in 1838, most of them deserted the plantations and settled down in the hills to cultivate their own small plots of land. They founded a peasantry which is still today regarded as the “backbone” of Jamaica.

On August 6, 1962, Jamaica became independent country after more than 300 years of British rule. She remains a part of the Commonwealth of Nations. The Queen of England is titular head of state, and is represented by the Governor General who is a Jamaican.

The first country in the Caribbean to launch a website was Jamaica. This was jamaicatravel.com in 1994.

In 2012-2013, the World Fastest man and woman in the world are Jamaicans Usain Bolt and Shelly Ann Frazer. Usain Bolt is a Jamaican sprinter and widely regarded as the fastest person ever. Shelly Ann Frazer is a Jamaican track and field sprinter.

Jamaica first entered the Olympics in 1948, which just like the 2012 Olympics was held in London, England!

In 1993, the Hon. Lisa Hanna won the Miss World Beauty crown in South Africa. She became the third Jamaican to win the Miss World Crown.

Opened in 1845, Jamaica’s railway was the first railroad outside of Europe and North America.